Fones Road in Olympia is closed to all traffic each night through Friday, Sept. 18, for paving on the $24.5 million corridor project.

The closures run from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. between the Home Depot south driveway and 17th Way SE, according to a Sept. 8 construction alert from the City of Olympia Public Works Department, first reported by The JOLT. Paving was scheduled to begin as early as Monday, Sept. 14.

Residents living along the paving zone could lose driveway access for up to four hours at a time. The city advises those who need to travel during paving hours to park outside the work area. Emergency vehicles and school buses can still pass through.

During the day, separate crews are working at the Karen Fraser Woodland Trail Crossing. They are also installing a center curb between 5th Avenue SE and 6th Avenue SE extending to Pacific Avenue.

The corridor project covers less than three-quarters of a mile of Fones Road. It broke ground in November 2024. The city is paying more than $13 million, with more than $11 million coming from state and federal grants.

The goal is safer travel for bicyclists, pedestrians, motorists and truckers, along with better connections to transit stops on 18th and Pacific avenues, new landscaping and new lighting.

A permanent traffic change is also coming. In an Aug. 18 construction alert reported by The JOLT, the Public Works Department described a new traffic pattern tied to the roundabout near Home Depot. Once the roundabout and splitter islands are finished, drivers south of the store will no longer be able to turn left onto or off Fones Road.

Construction on the overall project is expected to continue through fall 2026. Residents with questions can visit olympiawa.gov/fonesroad or email [email protected].